Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for modifying scheduled storage of a series as a function of available storage, the method comprising: receiving a user request to store the series; storing an instruction to store episodes of the series in a scheduling data structure; based on the instruction to store episodes of the series, storing copies of a plurality of episodes of the series on a storage device; storing viewing progress representing, for each respective copy of the copies of the plurality of episodes, an amount of the respective copy that the user has played back in a user profile corresponding to the user; determining an amount of available storage remaining on the storage device; calculating a threshold viewing progress by processing the amount of available storage with a series viewing function; computing an aggregated viewing progress representing a collective viewing progress among the plurality of stored episodes by summing each amount of the respective copy; determining whether the aggregated viewing progress exceeds the threshold viewing progress; and in response to determining the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the threshold viewing progress, deleting the instruction to store episodes of the series thereby canceling the recording of future episodes of the series.
This invention relates to digital media storage management, specifically optimizing storage space for recorded television series or similar episodic content. The problem addressed is the automatic management of storage space when a user records multiple episodes of a series, ensuring that storage is not overused while preserving content the user is likely to watch. The method involves receiving a user request to store a series, then storing instructions to record episodes of that series. As episodes are recorded, copies are stored on a storage device, and viewing progress data is tracked for each episode in the user's profile, indicating how much of each episode has been watched. The system monitors available storage space and calculates a threshold viewing progress based on the remaining storage capacity using a predefined function. The system then aggregates the viewing progress across all stored episodes of the series by summing the individual progress values. If the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the threshold, the system deletes the recording instruction for future episodes, effectively canceling further recordings to free up storage space. This ensures that storage is dynamically managed based on the user's actual viewing habits, preventing unnecessary storage consumption while retaining content the user is actively watching.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the viewing progress of the plurality of episodes by the user in the user profile comprises: determining the user has selected a first episode of the plurality of episodes; monitoring a current playback position of the user for the first episode; and storing the current playback position of the user for the first episode as an entry in a viewing progress data structure of the user profile.
A system and method track a user's viewing progress across multiple episodes of a media series. The technology addresses the problem of managing and resuming playback across different episodes, ensuring users can seamlessly continue watching from where they left off. The method involves storing viewing progress data for each episode in a user profile. When a user selects a first episode, the system monitors their playback position in real-time. As the user watches, the system records the current playback position and updates the user profile with this data. This allows the system to later retrieve the stored position, enabling the user to resume playback at the exact point where they previously stopped. The method ensures accurate tracking by continuously updating the playback position during viewing. The stored data structure in the user profile maintains a record of progress for each episode, facilitating personalized and uninterrupted viewing experiences. This approach enhances user convenience by eliminating the need to manually track progress across multiple episodes.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein storing the current playback position of the user for the first episode as the entry in the viewing progress data structure of the user profile comprises: calculating a fraction of the first episode viewed by the user based on a duration of the first episode and the current playback position of the user; retrieving a threshold fractional viewing progress stored in memory; comparing the fraction of the first episode viewed by the user to the threshold fractional viewing progress; and in response to determining the fraction of the first episode viewed by the user meets the threshold fractional viewing progress, storing with the entry an indication that the first episode has been completely viewed by the user.
This invention relates to tracking user viewing progress for media content, specifically episodes of a series. The problem addressed is accurately recording whether a user has fully watched an episode, which is important for content recommendations, progress tracking, and user experience personalization. The method involves calculating how much of an episode a user has watched by comparing their current playback position to the total duration of the episode. This results in a fraction representing the portion of the episode viewed. A predefined threshold (e.g., 90%) is retrieved from memory to determine if the user has effectively completed the episode. If the calculated fraction meets or exceeds this threshold, the system marks the episode as fully viewed in the user's profile. This ensures that partial views are distinguished from complete views, improving the accuracy of viewing progress data. The method also handles storing this progress data in a structured format within the user profile, ensuring that subsequent episodes or recommendations are based on reliable completion statuses. This approach enhances content delivery systems by providing more precise user engagement metrics.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the threshold viewing progress by processing the amount of available storage with the series viewing function comprises: retrieving a first value of the amount of available storage; executing a program script, wherein the first value is input to a mathematical function mapping values for the amount of available storage to threshold viewing progresses; and receiving, as an output of the program script, the threshold viewing progress.
This invention relates to a method for determining a threshold viewing progress in a media streaming system with a series viewing function. The problem addressed is efficiently managing storage resources while ensuring users can access and view media content without interruptions. The method calculates a threshold viewing progress by processing the available storage capacity, allowing the system to dynamically adjust how much of a media series is pre-loaded or retained based on storage constraints. The method involves retrieving the current amount of available storage and using this value as input to a mathematical function. This function maps storage amounts to corresponding threshold viewing progress values, which define how much of a media series should be retained or pre-loaded. A program script executes this function, taking the storage value as input and outputting the threshold viewing progress. This ensures that the system optimizes storage usage while maintaining a seamless viewing experience for users. The approach dynamically adjusts to varying storage conditions, preventing unnecessary data retention or premature deletion of media content. The method supports efficient resource management in media streaming platforms, particularly for series content where multiple episodes may be stored.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein computing the aggregated viewing progress representing the collective viewing progress among the plurality of stored episodes comprises: calculating an aggregated duration of stored episodes of the series by summing a duration of each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes of the series; calculating the collective viewing progress by summing a current playback progress of the user of each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes of the series; and calculating the aggregated viewing progress by dividing the collective viewing progress by the aggregated duration of stored episodes.
This invention relates to tracking and analyzing collective viewing progress of a media series across multiple stored episodes. The problem addressed is the lack of a standardized way to measure how much of a series has been collectively watched by a user, particularly when multiple episodes are stored and partially viewed. The solution involves calculating an aggregated viewing progress metric that represents the overall progress of a user through a series, accounting for partial viewing of individual episodes. The method first calculates an aggregated duration of all stored episodes in the series by summing the individual durations of each episode. Next, it calculates the collective viewing progress by summing the current playback progress (e.g., time watched) of each stored episode for the user. The aggregated viewing progress is then determined by dividing the collective viewing progress by the aggregated duration of all stored episodes. This provides a normalized metric (e.g., a percentage or fraction) representing the overall progress of the user through the series, even if some episodes are only partially watched. The approach ensures that the viewing progress is accurately reflected across multiple episodes, improving user experience and content tracking.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: retrieving the current playback progress for each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes from a viewing progress data structure of the user profile; ranking the plurality of stored episodes based on the retrieved current playback progress of each stored episode; and deleting a first stored episode based on the ranking.
This invention relates to media playback systems, specifically managing stored episodes of a media series to optimize storage space. The problem addressed is the accumulation of partially watched episodes, which can clutter storage and make it difficult for users to identify which episodes are worth keeping. The system retrieves playback progress data for each stored episode from a user profile, ranks the episodes based on how much of each has been watched, and automatically deletes the least-watched episode to free up storage. The ranking ensures that episodes with minimal progress are prioritized for deletion, preserving those the user has invested more time in. The method may also involve additional criteria, such as episode recency or user preferences, to refine the deletion decision. This approach helps maintain an organized media library by removing low-priority content while retaining episodes the user is more likely to finish. The system dynamically adjusts storage usage based on actual viewing behavior, improving efficiency without manual intervention.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising: calculating a new amount of available storage remaining on the storage device based on deleting the first stored episode; calculating a second threshold viewing progress by processing the new amount of available storage with the series viewing function; determining whether the aggregated viewing progress exceeds the second threshold viewing progress; and in response to determining the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the second threshold viewing progress, deleting a second stored episode based on the ranking.
This invention relates to a method for managing storage space on a device by selectively deleting stored episodes of a media series based on viewing progress and available storage. The method addresses the problem of limited storage capacity by dynamically determining which episodes to retain or delete to optimize viewing experience while ensuring sufficient storage remains. The method involves calculating a new amount of available storage after deleting a first stored episode of a media series. A second threshold viewing progress is then determined by processing this new storage amount with a series viewing function, which likely evaluates how much of the series has been watched. The method checks whether the aggregated viewing progress (total progress across all episodes) exceeds this second threshold. If not, a second stored episode is deleted based on a ranking, which likely prioritizes episodes based on factors like recency, importance, or user preferences. The method builds on a prior step where a first episode was deleted based on a first threshold viewing progress, ensuring that deletions are made only when necessary to free up space without significantly disrupting the viewing experience. The ranking system ensures that the most relevant or least critical episodes are removed first, maintaining continuity in the series. This approach helps users retain the most valuable content while efficiently managing storage constraints.
8. A system for modifying scheduled storage of a series as a function of available storage, the system comprising: storage circuitry configured to: store an instruction to store copies of episodes of the series in a scheduling data structure; store viewing progress representing, for each respective copy of the copies of the plurality of episodes, an amount of the respective copy that the user has played back in a user profile corresponding to the user; and based on the instruction to store episodes of the series, store the copies of the plurality of episodes of the series on a storage device; and control circuitry configured to: receive a user request to store the series; determine an amount of available storage remaining on the storage device; calculate a threshold viewing progress by processing the amount of available storage with a series viewing function; compute an aggregated viewing progress representing a collective viewing progress among the plurality of stored episodes by summing each amount of the respective copy; determine whether the aggregated viewing progress exceeds the threshold viewing progress; and in response to determining the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the threshold viewing progress, delete the instruction to store episodes of the series thereby canceling the recording of future episodes of the series.
This system addresses the challenge of managing storage space for recorded television series by dynamically adjusting recording schedules based on available storage and user viewing habits. The system includes storage circuitry that stores instructions to record episodes of a series, tracks user viewing progress for each recorded episode, and stores the episodes on a storage device. Control circuitry receives user requests to record a series, checks available storage, and calculates a threshold viewing progress using a series viewing function that processes the remaining storage capacity. The system then computes an aggregated viewing progress by summing the viewing progress of all stored episodes of the series. If the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the threshold, the system cancels future recordings of the series by deleting the recording instruction. This approach ensures that storage space is allocated efficiently by prioritizing series that the user is actively watching, preventing unnecessary recordings of series that are not being viewed. The system dynamically adapts to storage constraints and user behavior to optimize storage usage.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: determine the user has selected a first episode of the plurality of episodes; monitor a current playback position of the user for the first episode; and store the current playback position of the user for the first episode as an entry in a viewing progress data structure of the user profile.
This invention relates to a media playback system that tracks user viewing progress across multiple episodes of a media series. The system addresses the problem of users losing track of their progress when watching episodic content, such as TV shows or podcasts, by automatically recording and storing their playback positions. The system includes control circuitry that detects when a user selects a specific episode from a series, monitors their playback progress in real-time, and saves the current position (e.g., timestamp or percentage) in a user profile. This data structure allows the system to resume playback at the correct point when the user returns to the episode. The system may also support multiple episodes, enabling users to switch between different episodes while maintaining accurate progress tracking for each. The stored playback positions can be used to personalize recommendations, suggest where to resume, or synchronize viewing across devices. The invention improves user experience by reducing the need to manually track progress and ensuring seamless continuation of media consumption.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry configured to store the current playback position of the user for the first episode as the entry in the viewing progress data structure of the user profile is further configured to: calculate a fraction of the first episode viewed by the user based on a duration of the first episode and the current playback position of the user; retrieve a threshold fractional viewing progress stored in memory; compare the fraction of the first episode viewed by the user to the threshold fractional viewing progress; and in response to determining the fraction of the first episode viewed by the user meets the threshold fractional viewing progress, store with the entry an indication that the first episode has been completely viewed by the user.
A system for tracking user viewing progress of media content, such as episodes of a series, monitors playback positions to determine whether a user has completed viewing an episode. The system calculates the fraction of the episode viewed by comparing the current playback position to the total duration of the episode. A predefined threshold fractional viewing progress, stored in memory, defines the minimum fraction of the episode that must be viewed to be considered "completed." If the user's viewing fraction meets or exceeds this threshold, the system updates the user's profile to indicate the episode has been fully viewed. This allows the system to distinguish between partially and fully watched episodes, enabling personalized recommendations or playback continuity features. The system may also store additional metadata, such as timestamps or playback history, to enhance tracking accuracy. The threshold can be adjusted based on user preferences or content type, ensuring flexibility in defining completion criteria. This approach improves user experience by accurately reflecting viewing progress and enabling seamless transitions to subsequent episodes.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry configured to calculate the threshold viewing progress by processing the amount of available storage with the series viewing function is further configured to: retrieve a first value of the amount of available storage; execute a program script, wherein the first value is input to a mathematical function mapping values for the amount of available storage to threshold viewing progresses; and receive, as an output of the program script, the threshold viewing progress.
A system for managing media content storage and playback includes control circuitry that calculates a threshold viewing progress for a series viewing function. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently managing storage space while ensuring uninterrupted playback of media series. The control circuitry retrieves a first value representing the available storage capacity and processes this value using a program script. The script applies a mathematical function that maps storage amounts to corresponding threshold viewing progress values. The function determines how much of a media series can be stored before playback is interrupted due to insufficient storage. The output of the script provides the threshold viewing progress, which defines the point at which the system may need to delete or archive older episodes to free up space for new content. This approach optimizes storage usage while maintaining a seamless viewing experience for users. The system may also include additional features such as prioritizing certain media content for retention or dynamically adjusting the threshold based on user preferences or storage conditions. The overall solution ensures efficient storage management without compromising user experience.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry configured to compute the aggregated viewing progress representing the collective viewing progress among the plurality of stored episodes is further configured to: calculate an aggregated duration of stored episodes of the series by summing a duration of each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes of the series; calculate the collective viewing progress by summing a current playback progress of the user of each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes of the series; and calculate the aggregated viewing progress by dividing the collective viewing progress by the aggregated duration of stored episodes.
This invention relates to a system for tracking and analyzing collective viewing progress of a media series across multiple stored episodes. The problem addressed is the lack of a unified metric to represent how much of a series has been collectively watched by a user, especially when multiple episodes are stored and partially viewed. The system calculates an aggregated viewing progress to provide a comprehensive measure of viewing completion. The system includes control circuitry that computes the aggregated viewing progress by first determining the total duration of all stored episodes in the series. This is done by summing the individual durations of each episode. Next, the system calculates the collective viewing progress by summing the current playback progress of each episode for the user. The aggregated viewing progress is then derived by dividing the collective viewing progress by the total duration of the stored episodes. This provides a normalized metric representing the overall viewing progress across all episodes. The system may also include features for storing episodes, tracking user playback, and displaying the aggregated viewing progress to the user. The invention improves user experience by offering a clear, consolidated view of viewing progress in a media series.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: retrieve the current playback progress for each stored episode of the plurality of stored episodes from a viewing progress data structure of the user profile; rank the plurality of stored episodes based on the retrieved current playback progress of each stored episode; and delete a first stored episode based on the ranking.
This invention relates to a media playback system that manages stored episodes of a media program by automatically deleting episodes based on user viewing progress. The system addresses the problem of storage management in media playback devices, where users accumulate multiple episodes of a program but may not finish watching them, leading to unnecessary storage usage. The system includes control circuitry that interacts with a user profile containing a viewing progress data structure. The control circuitry retrieves the current playback progress for each stored episode of a media program. The episodes are then ranked based on their playback progress, with episodes that have been watched the least or not at all being prioritized for deletion. The system deletes a first stored episode according to this ranking, ensuring that episodes with the least viewing progress are removed first, thereby optimizing storage space while preserving episodes the user is more likely to watch. The system may also include features such as storing episodes of a media program, tracking playback progress, and managing user preferences. The deletion process is automated, reducing manual intervention and improving storage efficiency. The ranking mechanism ensures that the most relevant episodes remain stored, enhancing the user experience by maintaining access to content the user is likely to continue watching.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: calculate a new amount of available storage remaining on the storage device based on deleting the first stored episode; calculate a second threshold viewing progress by processing the new amount of available storage with the series viewing function; determine whether the aggregated viewing progress exceeds the second threshold viewing progress; and in response to determining the aggregated viewing progress does not exceed the second threshold viewing progress, delete a second stored episode based on the ranking.
This invention relates to a storage management system for media content, particularly for optimizing storage space on a device by selectively deleting episodes of a media series based on viewing progress and user preferences. The system addresses the problem of limited storage capacity by dynamically managing media content to ensure users can continue watching their preferred series without manual intervention. The system includes control circuitry that monitors viewing progress across multiple episodes of a media series. It calculates the available storage space on the device and applies a series viewing function to determine a threshold viewing progress. If the aggregated viewing progress of the user does not meet this threshold, the system deletes the least prioritized episode based on a ranking system. The ranking may consider factors such as recency, user preferences, or importance within the series. After deletion, the system recalculates the available storage and adjusts the threshold accordingly. This iterative process ensures that storage space is efficiently managed while preserving the most relevant episodes for the user. The system may also consider additional criteria, such as whether an episode is part of a multi-episode arc, to avoid disrupting the viewing experience. The goal is to maintain a balance between storage efficiency and user satisfaction by retaining episodes that align with the user's viewing habits and preferences.
Unknown
October 1, 2019
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